67 seconds between rounds?

Jonathan Miller, head of NBC Sports, has asked the Association of Boxing Commissions to increase the time between rounds an additional seven seconds to allow a full minute for commercials and still have a few seconds to replay highlights of the previous round.

Miller wrote:

“NBC has a major concern with the rigid timing between rounds set forth by the Boxing Commissions in each state. We feel strongly this mandate negatively impacts the quality of television production. The Fight Night Series will simply not survive without advertising support and allowing us to be storytellers. We must run two, thirty second commercial units between each round. The inability to come back from a one minute commercial break without any additional time to show highlight(s) from the previous round and set up the next round is a disservice to the boxing viewer and most importantly the athletes who are giving their all in the ring.

“For this reason, the NBC Sports Group is officially requesting an increase from sixty seconds between each round to sixty seven seconds to allow us to better serve our audience and improve the quality of our shows. This change will make the sport more broadcast friendly and substantially increase a boxer’s ability to make a living on a platform other than the pay channels of HBO, Showtime & PPV. The NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL all have adapted to this broadcast friendly model and with their network partners customized mutually beneficial television timings. This timing change will not negatively impact the integrity of competition but only enhance the content in building stars and elevating the great sport of boxing.

“We ask that you give this timing request every possible consideration.”